2017/06/02 by Helge Kragh, Kragh, Helge · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Developments in Astronomy #History and Philosophy of Physics (physics.hist-ph) #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1706.00726
openalex publication_date 2017/06/02 · openalex created_date 2022/10/04 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
From a modern perspective cosmology is a historical science in so far that it\ndeals with the development of the universe since its origin some 14 billion\nyears ago. The origin itself may not be subject to scientific analysis and\nexplanation. Nonetheless, there are theories that claim to explain the ultimate\norigin or "creation" of the universe. As shown by the history of cosmological\nthought, the very concept of "origin" is problematic and can be understood in\ndifferent ways. While it is normally understood as a temporal concept, cosmic\norigin is not temporal by necessity. The universe can be assigned an origin\neven though it has no definite age. In order to clarify the question a view of\nearlier ideas will be helpful, these ideas coming not only from astronomy but\nalso from philosophy and theology.\n